Soapbox

I thought Jon Doran's article "Beginners' Basics - Summer Packing" (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/localiser/member.asp?SP=&v=1&memNo=16) was useful but maybe a bit 'academic'?

3 litres of water might be ideal, but it's also heavy (3kg, Sherlock . For your average 4 hour plod (beginers stuff), surely a litre of water in a squash bottle and a flask of coffee between two is more than realistic?

For an average day out, I'd suggest:
Wear a decent base layer, a light fleece and tracksuit bottoms
a lightweight waterproof (there's plenty for £50 from top brands)
A map/compass (if you can use one)
A space blanket
A litre of water (an old squash bottle is fine - just top it up in streams)
A flask of coffee
A sandwich and a few jaffa cakes
A handful of jelly babies, and maybe fruit/nuts
Lightweight gloves (liner ones are fine in summer)
A whistle
A couple of band aids

that's it really

the whole lot will only weigh 4 or 5 kilos

Drinking stream water isn't a good plan... think of the dead sheep (or peeing sheep) upstream... or peeing walker... Take plenty of fresh water from the tap at home...

For 4 hours plod through the hills in summer conditions I wouldnt consider drinking any less than a litre per hour. Consider that Mr and Mrs beginner aren't necessarily too fit or used to exerting themselves in hot conditions, and that they dont necessarily have the experience or plain savvy to pick decent water sources on the hill, and you start to see why the article suggests 3 litres.

I find that 3 litres lasts me most of the day in very hot weather, i.e. 30 degrees in the summer.

I struggle to drink 2 litres in five hours -on a hot day!

So yes 3 litres sounds right. I just back tracked!

3 litres lasts me all day and cooking my evening meal and making a cup of coffee on an overnighter.

im one for taking lots of water usually take my 3litre camel back and a litre sigg style bottle with juice in it plus maybe a can of pop and a flask if i decide i fancy a coffee.

As is apparent, water consumption varies hugely between people. I think it's a good idea for a beginner to carry 3 litres, and if they end the day with 1.5 litres spare, it doesn't necessarily mean they've dehydrated themselves.

I'm a big fan of streamwater, but again, I can see that you want a bit of practice identifying good from bad. You probably don't want to be telling rank beginners to drink from every passing puddle, as it were.

Just did a Lakes overnighter, late start and a wild camp then long trek next day on a 3L bladder and a 0.75ml sigg bottle with high5 isotonic in it.
It was exactly enough, another hour on the hill and I would have been looking for water.
But yes, the weight is a killer.
In the Highlands I have no problems drinking water from a burn, but after seeing some human toilet antics in the Lakes I would always pack a filter or Steri-tabs.

The good news is that in the summer you require less in your day pack than in winter so can (and need) to carry more water due to temp. I seem to be able to drink gallons when out so 3l would probably last me for 4 hours hard walking, just!

I usually take two and a half litres but on occasions have had to take four when taking the dog in areas away from streams/rivers.

I agree with Hayden, a spare fleece and some waterproofs is hardly back-breaking, an extra kg or two of water isn't going to make much difference to your ability to cover ground comfortably.

That said, I heard a rumour that committed ultralight hikers drill holes in their water bottles to save weight... ;-)

to be honest i usually take far to much stuff when out hiking but id rather be safe than sorry especially when it comes to water.

Last Saturday I walked 10.5 miles around the Charnwood Forest areain about 3 hrs 15 min. It was about 24C but I was amased to find that I had drunk slightly less than 2 litre in that time. In hot weather on a longer walk carrying 3l now seems sensible to me.

Can anyone support my observation that as you get older you drink more when walking? Over the past few years I've had to carry more liquid to manage my thirst. Ten years ago I might carry a litre for a summer's day walk. Now if it's a hot summer's day like last weekend then I've carried 2.5 lites of water AND drunk it over 6.5 hours.

Dehydrated Scottish Mountain Water is the real answer. Weighs almost nothing. Happy to sell you as much as you want.

Why is everyone so obssesed with drinking lots!? I take two coke bottles of water for me and the dog and that will last 24hrs

Deleted because I really can't be bothered starting another pointless black is white debate :o)

Some people drink a lot, and others drink a little over the day. We're all different sizes and fitness levels and the amount we drink is personal and makes no difference to anyone else.

That said 3l would be a safe place to start with, better to carry a little too much, and adjust it for the next trip.

Complaining about people drinking so much (or little) is a bit like getting stresed with people eating marmite sandwiches 'cos you dont like marmite yourself. It doesn't matter (unless they make you carry their water for them!).